Speedway: Discover the story behind Annabel Montgomerie’s recent success

A 15-year-old Mackay girl is doing her bit to keep the family name alive in the Speedway community, becoming the latest third-generation racer to hit the tracks and already clocking up some wins.

Speedway is in Annabel Montgomerie’s blood.

Her grandfathers on both sides, uncle, father and older sister are all speedway racers.

“It’s just what we’ve done,” Annabel’s father, Triston Montgomerie said

Now, Annabel’s reaping the rewards.

Her second season in Speedway with the Rockhampton Saloon Car Club yielded dominant returns.

She accumulated the most points across the season to be awarded the Club Championship for the ‘New Star’ division (drivers that have competed for two seasons or less), as well as Best and Fairest across all junior categories, and Best Presented Car.

Annabel, a 15-year-old Mirani State High Student, feels a distinct sense of responsibility to prolong her family’s Speedway ties.

“It felt good to make my family proud,” Annabel said.

“I’m continuing our legacy in Speedway as I’m the only one left racing at the moment.”

Annabel cleaned up at the Rockhampton Saloon Car Club Presentation Night. Picture: Triston Montgomerie

As is the case with many young drivers, her passion was born out of a desire to be “following in (her) sister’s footsteps.”

“It is cool as my sister and I were the first girls in our family in the sport,” she said.

And she’s developed in leaps and bounds over her first two seasons.

“At the beginning I ran at the back of the group, I didn’t think I’d ever win anything,” Annabel recalls.

“But now I’m the one of the front runners of the group and have some wins to my name.”

Annabel after her Roma Feature win. Picture: Triston Montgomerie

But the improvement didn’t come without its tribulations.

“When she started she had a big crash in her first season, got caught up with another car and hit the fence head on and rolled her car,” Triston said

“It’s part and parcel with the sport, these things happen… she got straight back in.”

Despite the obvious physical dangers, speedway has pushed Annabel’s comfort zone in more ways than one.

“If it wasn’t for Speedway (Annabel) wouldn’t be able to talk to people,” said Triston.

“All the kids are great… it’s a great community to be involved in.”

Annabel echoed her dad’s sentiment.

“I’ve made new friends and stepped outside my comfort zone,” she said.

Unfortunately for the Mirani-based Montgomerie’s, the closure of Mackay’s Macs Speedway has made their life significantly more difficult when it comes to pursuing this passion.

Annabel in action. Picture: Supplied

Not only does a four-hour trek to Rockhampton await every time they visit their ‘home’ Speedway, it means attracting local sponsors can be likened to prying a needle from a haystack.

And with 20-30,000km of travel completed annually by the Montgomerie’s just to compete, and tens of thousands of dollars invested in cars and equipment, sponsors are paramount.

Regardless, Annabel will continue her pursuit of making the Montgomerie name proud.

Despite a step up to the ‘Top Star’ division, as her experience has surpassed two seasons, she’s already eyeing the national titles in Grafton.

Triston says the goal is simple - to qualify for the A-Main race, which can be done by accumulating enough points through the preceding heats.

But speaking more broadly, his goals for his daughter are simple.

“We just hope she continues to get better and enjoy herself.”

If you’d like to sponsor Annabel and support her journey, email [e-mail]